My Kids and I Love the Space in Our Subaru Ascent

After over a decade with a 2012 SUV, Kara started to feel the pain of repairs and maintenance. As a single mom of two daughters, ages 15 and 10, she set out to replace her older SUV with something that would fit their needs, and that her two girls wouldn't make fun of (too badly).

After a lengthy research period, she settled on a 2022 Subaru Ascent. We asked Kara about why she chose the Ascent and checked in to see how she’s feeling about it. Here’s what she had to say: 

2022 Subaru Ascent Owner Pros 

• Fun to drive 

• Tons of cargo, seating, and storage space 

• Easy to access the third row 

2022 Subaru Ascent Owner Cons 

• Android Auto^™ disconnects when an Apple phone is plugged in (Apple CarPlay^®)

• Cargo area cover is not super useful 

What were your must-haves? 

• Third row

• Good reliability ratings 

• Within budget 

• Gas mileage equal or better than her previous SUV 

• All-weather mats 

My must-haves included a third row, a reliable reputation, solid safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a monthly payment I could afford (basically meaning 12 monthly payments wouldn't exceed what I was paying annually for repairs and maintenance on my old SUV), all-weather mats, and a gas mileage rating that was the same or better than my previous SUV. I considered the overall size of the vehicle—particularly the turning radius and the ability to park in tight Washington, DC-Metro area parking lots. I also wanted the option for all-wheel drive and seven-seater capability with captain's chairs in the second row. Lastly, I wanted to be sure I’d be willing to drive the car for another 10 years and that it wasn’t just a temporary fix to the car question.  

Why did you decide on the Subaru Ascent? 

I knew I wanted to check out Subarus because I had an Outback previously (before my 2012 SUV) and absolutely loved that car. I cried when I had to sell it due to parking challenges in DC. This time around I definitely found myself pulled toward a Subaru for its reputation and fun factor. I also knew I'd be happy to own a Subaru for at least ten years. However, I wasn't initially sure how the Ascent would compare to the other SUVs in terms of size, price point, comfort features, seating arrangements for the kids, etc. 

Did you take a test drive? 

A test drive sealed the deal. The Ascent has more "get up and go" than my old SUV did. It is a lot of fun to drive, and I'm impressed with the reliability ratings of Subaru. Plus, it's comfortable in the front seats and the back, and the inside of the car has the features the kids want. It's really practical for camping, traveling, and even a Saturday trip to Costco. 

How's it going now (after buying it)? 

I love my car! It is so much fun to drive; opening the sunroof on a winding road along the George Washington Parkway brings me joy. The kids don't love the color ("Um, why did you buy a white car, Mama? Really?!") but otherwise, they are happy we drive this around now. It is a more comfortable ride for them overall. I've driven a gaggle of teenagers to the mall and also put all the seats down to transport a piece of furniture gifted by a neighbor. The car is great in all scenarios. 

Any negatives so far? 

Cons:

• Only one smartphone integration can be used at a time (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) 

• Cargo area cover is not super useful 

I've only had small negatives. For example, Apple CarPlay will kick out any phone connected by Android Auto. If I'm playing music from my Android phone, my daughter will plug in her Apple phone to charge it and the car will automatically change the connection to her phone. It will not connect back to Android if Apple is connected. Darn Apple vs. Android battle! My oldest daughter does think it's a fun joke to secretly switch to what sounds like death metal while I'm driving though, so there's that benefit of the bug, I guess. 

For me, the anti-collision feature is a little too protective of my azaleas as I back out of my garage and stop the car well ahead of where I need to be to turn up the driveway. But I love that feature in all other contexts, so I leave it on and laugh when it "saves" us from the azaleas. Also, the cover for the cargo area can only be installed when the third row is down. When the third row is up there's not a lot of space to store the uninstalled cover. Since generally, my third row is up, the cover lives in my garage and gathers dust. 

Any fun surprises as you get to know the car? 

A couple of things, yeah. I didn't expect to get heated seats in the second row, but it turned out to be comfy for the kids, especially my youngest who gets cold easily. Also, with previous vehicles, I got used to being able to go to first gear (maybe second) to get out of the snow/mud, but then you just have to go straight back to drive. I love the manual option with the paddle shifters (even if, admittedly, I don't use it much). 

What's the most useful feature? 

I love that there's a button on the rear to lock the car when closing the back hatch. If I have the back open it typically means I have a lot in my hands or I'm about to go return a shopping cart. Being able to hit the button that both closes and locks the car has been super helpful. Could I live without it? Sure. But why would I if I don't have to? 

Tell us about getting in and out of the back rows...  

The third row is so much easier to access thanks to the captain's chairs in the second row. It was always a pain to get into the third row of my old car since you had to fold seats forward, but now the kids slide back there with ease. I can even get back there more easily too, but I would probably need to do a little more yoga if I had to sit back there regularly! It's so much easier to just randomly add extra kids to the car if needed.

"Can we pick up friends while we're on the way to the movies?" Yup, sure can. "Can you give my friend a ride home from Muay Thai, with all our gear?" Not a problem at all. The Ascent also has lots of cupholders for everyone and impressive console storage space. So, everything has a place and it's easy to reach the sanitizer, wipes, or even snacks and gum while on the go. 

Is the Subaru Ascent good for road trips? 

My two most memorable trips in the car were both to the beach, one with the kids and one with my boyfriend. The Ascent holds everything we could need, delivers a comfortable ride in all seats, and gets decent gas mileage. I have wonderful memories so far—of both the drives and the time spent on the beach.

How do you feel your car matches your personality? 

I'm a bit of a mix of "granola": practical and fun, so I feel like the Subaru Ascent aligns well with those parts of my personality. I'm in a happy season of life and this is my "happy car." 

Our Living with Your Car series explores real owners and their experiences of what it's like to live with a car after you sign on the dotted line. From dream features to those quirks you just can't ignore; these stories cover the questions you really want to ask.